Is mineral oil food safe? Does it turn rancid?

so ventilation, wearing a mask, gloves… Not necessarily! Mineral

oil comes in various grades. A person should not lump technical grade mineral oils used to lubricate vehicles to the higher refined cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical grades of mineral oils which are colorless, odorless, and flavorless.

Mineral oil does not go rancid! Mineral oil is not digested if ingested!

Mineral oil is generally a mixture of molecules containing carbon and hydrogen with a chemical formula of CnH2n+2 where “n” is the number of carbon atoms ranging from 15 to 40.

I would prefer one say something like “refer to the products’ safety data sheet” vs wear a mask and gloves and ventilate the area which maybe (or maybe not) an over-reactive statement when using highly refined and distilled mineral oils.

I understand that the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies both untreated or mildly treated mineral oils as Group 1 carcinogens; but it also classifies red meat, processed meat, and alcoholic beverages as Group 1 carcinogens. On the other hand, mineral oils can undergo distillation to remove contaminants such as water, sulfur, lead, vanadium and more complex hydrocarbons such as but not limited to benzene to produce cosmetic-grade, food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade mineral oils… each with its own standards.

Cosmetic-grade mineral oils are commonly used as just one ingredient in skin care products.

Similarly, food-grade mineral oils with scent added are used in lotions and baby oil. Food grade mineral oils are approved for incidental contact, not exceed 10 parts per million, in any food or beverage. Manufacturers are responsible for their product’s safety. These products may contain additives that either lubricate food processing machinery, inhibit corrosion, or suppress foam etc but may come in contact with food.

Finally, pharmaceutical-grade mineral oils are regulated by the US FDA and meet specifications set by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) standards. Manufacturers must ensure that USP pharmaceutical-grade drugs and chemicals meet the specifications outlined in the most recent USP and National Formulary (NF) standards. 140 countries also comply with these standards.

In conclusion, exposure to gasoline and diesel engine fuel and their exhausts, consuming excessive processed or red meat etc. (and I like my red meat with an occasional glass of alcohol) are likely far more harmful than applying IARC Group 3 classified distilled and refined mineral oil to a cutting board without looking like a surgeon in scrubs, gloves and mask. Equating highly refined mineral oil which is a IARC Group 3 carcinogen to straight run diesel fuel is alarmist.

Jim Goodyear